Methods of resuming a radio bearer and related wireless terminals and network nodes

ABSTRACT

Embodiments include methods for a wireless terminal (UE) configured to operate in a wireless communication network that includes a base station. Such methods include transmitting, to the base station, a request to resume a suspended connection with the wireless communication network; and subsequently receiving, from the base station, a connection resume message. Such methods also include performing configuration of the connection based on the connection resume message, including changing a security key previously used for the connection before the connection was suspended. Such methods also include resuming a suspended radio bearer associated with the connection and selectively transmitting, to the base station, a connection resume complete message. Other embodiments include complementary methods for a base station, as well as wireless terminals (UEs) and base stations configured to perform such methods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit ofpriority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/094,935 filed on Oct.19, 2018, which is a U.S. national-stage application claiming priorityto international application PCT/SE2017/050526 filed on May 18, 2017,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application62/338,399 filed on May 18, 2016. The entire disclosures of theabove-mentioned applications are incorporated herein by reference forall purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and moreparticularly to methods providing wireless communications and relatedwireless terminals and network nodes.

BACKGROUND

An aspect of LTE operation is for the UE to signal as little as possiblewhile not having any data to send or receive; to use as little power aspossible. One way to do so is for the UE to remain in RRC_IDLE while notsending any data. Before each transmission the UE may need to switchstate to RRC_CONNECTED; a procedure that involves exchanging a number ofmessages between the UE and the eNB. Remaining in RRC_IDLE may beefficient for this purpose as long as the UE remains fairly stationary,i.e., the UE does not have to perform measurements on other neighboringcells. Hence, fast switch to RRC_IDLE may be particularly efficient forMTC (Machine Type Communication) devices that are not expected to move.

Further power reduction may be provided by suspending and resuming anRRC connection. With known suspending and resuming of RRC connections,an incorrect or unsupported configuration may be used when a connectionis resumed resulting in lost data, malfunction, and/or unexpectedbehavior.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments of inventive concepts, methods may beprovided to operate a wireless terminal in a wireless communicationnetwork. A connection resume request may be transmitted from thewireless terminal to a base station of the wireless communicationnetwork, and after transmitting the connection resume request, aconnection resume message may be received at the wireless terminal fromthe base station. Responsive to receiving the connection resume message,reconfiguration of a connection with the base station may be performed,a security key for the connection with the base station may be provided,and a radio bearer may be resumed. After resuming the radio bearer,uplink data may be transmitted using the radio bearer.

According to some other embodiments of inventive concepts, a wirelessterminal may include a transceiver configured to provide wirelesscommunication with a wireless communication network, and a processorcoupled with the transceiver. Communications between the processor andthe wireless communication network may be provided through thetransceiver. The processor may be configured to transmit a connectionresume request from the wireless terminal to a base station of thewireless communication network, and to receive a connection resumemessage at the wireless terminal from the base station aftertransmitting the connection resume request. Responsive to receiving theconnection resume message, the processor may be configured to performreconfiguration of a connection with the base station, provide asecurity key for the connection with the base station, and resume aradio bearer. In addition, the processor may be configured to transmituplink data using the radio bearer after resuming the radio bearer.

According to still other embodiments of inventive concepts, a wirelessterminal may be provided for operation in a wireless communicationnetwork. The wireless terminal may be adapted to transmit a connectionresume request from the wireless terminal to a base station of thewireless communication network and to receive a connection resumemessage at the wireless terminal from the base station aftertransmitting the connection resume request. Responsive to receiving theconnection resume message, the wireless terminal may be adapted toperform reconfiguration of a connection with the base station, provide asecurity key for the connection with the base station, and resume aradio bearer. The wireless terminal may also be configured to transmituplink data using the radio bearer after resuming the radio bearer.

According to yet other embodiments of inventive concepts, methods may beprovided to operate a node of a wireless communication network. Aconnection suspend message may be transmitted from the node to awireless terminal. After transmitting the connection suspend message, aconnection resume request may be received at the node from the wirelessterminal. Responsive to receiving the connection resume request, aconnection resume message may be transmitted from the node to thewireless terminal, wherein the connection resume message includes anindication to delay resuming a radio bearer of the connection.

According to further embodiments of inventive concepts, a node of awireless communication network may include a transceiver configured toprovide wireless communication with a wireless terminal, and a processorcoupled with the transceiver. Communications between the processor andthe wireless terminal may be provided through the transceiver. Theprocessor may be configured to transmit a connection suspend messagefrom the node to a wireless terminal, and to receive a connection resumerequest at the node from the wireless terminal after transmitting theconnection suspend message. The processor may be further configured totransmit a connection resume message from the node to the wirelessterminal responsive to receiving the connection resume request, and theconnection resume message may include an indication to delay resuming aradio bearer of the connection.

According to more embodiments of inventive concepts, a node of awireless communication network may be provided. The node may be adaptedto transmit a connection suspend message from the node to a wirelessterminal, and to receive a connection resume request at the node fromthe wireless terminal after transmitting the connection suspend message.In addition, the node may be adapted to transmit a connection resumemessage from the node to the wireless terminal responsive to receivingthe connection resume request, and the connection resume message mayinclude an indication to delay resuming a radio bearer of theconnection.

According to some embodiments disclosed herein, a likelihood ofconfiguration mismatch between a wireless device and a base station maybe reduced when a suspended connection/bearer is resumed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate certain non-limiting embodiments ofinventive concepts. In the drawings:

FIGS. 1A and 1B together illustrate S1/EPS architecture based proceduresapplicable at UE Idle/Connected state transition;

FIG. 2 is a message diagram illustrating suspension of a RRC connection;

FIG. 3 is a message diagram illustrating resumption of a previouslysuspended RRC connection;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5, 6, and 7 are message diagrams illustrating operationsof suspending and resuming RRC connections according to some embodimentsof inventive concepts;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a base station eNB according tosome embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal UE accordingto some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating operations of a wireless terminalaccording to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of memory modules related to operations ofFIG. 10 according to some embodiments of inventive concepts;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating operations of a network nodeaccording to some embodiments of inventive concepts; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of memory modules related to operations ofFIG. 12 according to some embodiments of inventive concepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodimentsof inventive concepts are shown. Inventive concepts may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of present inventive concepts to those skilled inthe art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutuallyexclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to bepresent/used in another embodiment.

Although various embodiments are disclosed herein in the context ofbeing performed by a UE and/or a network node, they are not limitedthereto and instead can be performed in any type of electroniccommunication device or system.

Note that although terminology from LTE is generally used in thisdisclosure to exemplify embodiments of inventive concepts, this shouldnot be seen as limiting the scope of inventive concepts to only thesesystems. Other wireless systems, including variations and successors of3GPP LTE and WCDMA systems, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability forMicrowave Access), 1 MB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), HSDPA (High-SpeedDownlink Packet Access), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications),etc., may also benefit from exploiting embodiments of present inventiveconcepts disclosed herein.

Also note that terminology such as base station (also referred to asNodeB, eNB, eNodeB, or Evolved Node B) and wireless terminal or mobileterminal (also referred to as User Equipment, User Equipment node, orUE) should be considered as non-limiting and does not imply a certainhierarchical relation between the two. In general, a base station (e.g.,a “NodeB” or “eNodeB”) and a wireless terminal (e.g., a “UE”) may beconsidered as examples of respective different communications devicesthat communicate with each other over a wireless radio channel.

Assuming that UEs (also referred to as user equipment, user equipmentnodes, wireless terminals, etc.) are fairly stationary, to further saveor reduce power consumption one could consider reducing the amount ofsignaling needed to execute the state transition from RRC_IDLE toRRC_CONNECTED.

One such approach currently being standardized is RRC (Radio ResourceControl) connection suspend and resume. The RRC connection suspend andresume approach for UP (User Plane) based data transfer may reduce thesignaling overhead required for UE state transition from the IDLE toCONNECTED in order to have a user plane transaction with the network andback to IDLE state on the radio interface from 10 down to 5 messages andon the S1AP from 6 down to 4 messages. The solution impacts the AS andthe NAS layer. The reduced signaling may also improve UE batterylifetime.

The signaling overhead reduction may be realized by introducing two newprocedures ‘RRC connection suspend’ and ‘RRC connection resume’ that aredescribed herein and the introduction of a modified UE behavior inRRC_IDLE where relevant AS information is stored at transition toRRC_IDLE. Storing of parameters is triggered by a RRC connection suspendprocedure, and parameters are re-used by the UE for a subsequentconnection setup.

Signaling in LTE

Contributors to the signaling overhead are procedures used in currentS1-based EPS architecture used/required for UE state transition, i.e. attransition between the Idle and the Connected state.

FIGS. 1A and 1B together illustrate current S1/EPS architecture basedprocedures used to establish and tear down a connection in order for theUE to be able to transfer/receive user plane information, i.e.procedures applicable at UE Idle/Connected state transition. As can beseen, there may be significant signaling overhead on the radio/Uu, S1APinterface. In order to reduce the signaling overhead and the associatedprocessing load in the network, a solution is introduced in Rel-13 thatallows an RRC Connection to be suspended and at a later time resumed;reducing/minimizing the need to go through the full signaling procedurefor IDLE to CONNECTED state transition.

As shown in FIG. 1A, wireless terminal UE and base station eNB mayperform a random access (RA) procedure. At operation 101, wirelessterminal UE may transmit an RA msg1 (preamble), at operation 103, basestation eNB may respond with an RA msg2 (Response), and at operation105, wireless terminal UE may transmit an RA msg3 (RRC ConnectionRequest). At operation 107, wireless terminal UE may transmit an RRCConnection Setup Complete message (NAS Service Request) to base stationeNB. In response to the RRC Connection Setup Complete message, basestation eNB may transmit an S1-AP Initial UE message (NAS ServiceRequest) to MME (Mobility Management Entity) at operation 109, and MMEmay respond with an S1-AP Initial Ctxt Setup Request at operation 111.

At operation 113, base station eNB may transmit an RRC Security ModeCommand message to wireless terminal UE, at operation 115, wirelessterminal UE may transmit an RRC Security Mode Complete message to basestation eNB, at operation 117, base station eNB may transmit an RRCConnection Reconfiguration message to wireless terminal UE, and atoperation 119, wireless terminal UE may transmit an RRC ConnectionReconfiguration Complete message to base station eNB. At operation 121,base station eNB may transmit an S1-AP Initial Ctxt Setup Completemessage to MME, at operation 123, MME may transmit a Modify BearerRequest message to SGW (Serving Gateway), and at operation 125, SGW maytransmit a Modify Bearer Response message to MME. At operations 126 and127, wireless terminal UE may transmit uplink UL data through basestation eNB to SGW, and at operations 129 and 131, SGW may transmitdownlink DL data through base station eNB to wireless terminal UE.

At operation 133 (shown in FIG. 1B) after a timeout, base station eNBmay transmit an S1-AP UE Ctxt Release Request message to MME, and MMEmay transmit a Release Access Bearers Request to SGW at operation 135.At operation 137, SGW may transmit a Release Access Bearers Responsemessage to MME, and at operation 139, MME may transmit an S1-AP UE CtxtRelease Command message to base station eNB. Base station eNB may thentransmit an RRC Connection Release message to wireless terminal UE atoperation 141, and base station eNB may transmit an S1-AP UE CtxtRelease Complete message to MME at operation 143.

Initial connection and AS context setup will now be discussed.

A UE may need to perform an initial connection setup to establish theNAS signaling connection and provide the UE and network with an initialAS context, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The NAS layer is aware thatsubsequently no Service Requests are required as long as a valid AScontext in the network is found by the AS layer. If for any reason theAS layer context is missing in the network while the UE attempts aresume procedure, the resume procedure fails and the AS layer triggers aNAS Layer Service Request to establish a new initial AS layer context.

RRC connection suspend procedure will now be discussed.

The RRC connection suspend procedure is used at transition fromRRC_CONNECTED to RRC_IDLE state and causes the UE to retain the AScontext in RRC_IDLE mode:

-   -   the eNodeB (also referred to as an eNB, or a base station) and        the UE store RRC connection related information, AS Security        Context, bearer related information (incl. RoHC state        information) and other L3/2/1 parameters when applicable. The        eNB provides the UE with an identifier, referred as ‘Resume ID’,        used to address the relevant information stored in the eNB.    -   Relevant network nodes store S1-MME UE association and S1-U        bearer context related information. This basically means that        the S1AP UE Contexts are stored and kept in the eNB and the MME.        Additionally, the eNB stores and keeps the S1-U tunnel        addresses. The latter reduces the processing load on the eNB        required for establishment of S1-U bearers.    -   UE's mobility behavior is the same as in RRC_IDLE state, e.g.        the UE applies normal or extended IDLE mode DRX (Discontinuous        Reception) parameters, performs cell re-selection, etc.    -   At transition to RRC_IDLE, the NAS layer in the UE enters        ECM-IDLE state.

FIG. 2 illustrates suspension of a RRC connection as discussed ingreater detail below with respect to operations/messages of FIG. 2.

-   -   Operation 1 of FIG. 2. Network decides to suspend the RRC        Connection.    -   Message 2 of FIG. 2. eNB indicates to MME with a new S1AP        message that the UE's RRC connection is suspended. MME and eNB        store the S1AP association and the related UE Contexts. MME        enters ECM state ECM-IDLE. MME stores the DL TEIDs associated        with the UE and eNodeB.    -   Message 3 of FIG. 2. The MME sends a Release Access Bearers        Request (Abnormal Release of Radio Link Indication or ‘new        cause’) message to the S-GW (Serving Gateway) that requests the        release of all S1-U bearers for the UE. SGW considers UE being        in Idle state.    -   Message 4 of FIG. 2. SGW provides a response to the step 3.    -   Message 5 of FIG. 2. MME Acks step 2.    -   Operation 6 of FIG. 2. MME enters ‘ECM-IDLE’ state.    -   Message 7 of FIG. 2. eNB suspends the RRC Connection towards the        UE. An identifier that is used at subsequent resumption of that        suspended RRC Connection can be provided. The UE and the eNB        store the related context information, i.e. RRC configuration,        AS security context, bearer related configuration (including        RoHC state information), and other L3/2/1 parameters when        applicable. This message may also contain the Next Hop Chaining        Counter (NCC) associated with the K_eNB that is to be used at        subsequent resumption. Other information may also be        provided/included.

Operation 8 of FIG. 2. The UE RRC layer enters RRC_IDLE state where itstores the relevant AS information (see step 7) and the UE NAS layerenters ECM-IDLE state where it is aware that a NAS signaling connectionis available.

An RRC connection resume procedure will now be discussed.

At the transition from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED, previously storedinformation in the UE as well as in the eNodeB is utilized to resume theRRC connection. The UE provides the previously received ‘Resume ID’ tobe used by the eNB to access the stored information used/required toresume the RRC Connection. Furthermore, it provides an AuthenticationToken used to securely identify the UE.

Relevant network nodes re-store/re-use S1-MME UE S1AP association andS1-U bearer context related information.

Given that NAS layer is aware that the initial connection was setup, noNAS Service Request will be issued and thus there is no need for RRCConnection Setup Complete message to carry that message.

The reduction of signaling overhead may be from 9 messages on the radiointerface for legacy connection setup as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B downto 4 messages when using RRC Connection Resume procedure as shown in theFIG. 3. The omitted/removed messages are:

-   -   RRC Connection Setup Complete    -   RRC Security Mode Command    -   RRC Security Mode Complete    -   RRC Connection Reconfiguration    -   RRC Connection Reconfiguration Complete        The procedure is illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates Resumption of a previously suspended RRC connection.Operations 1, 2, and 3 of FIG. 3 may follow legacy operations when theUE accesses the network from RRC Idle state.

-   -   Operation 4 of FIG. 3. In msg3, a new RRC Connection Resume        Request message (carried over SRB0/CCCH) is        transmitted/received, in which the UE includes its Resume Id,        Authentication Token, and Establishment Cause. eNB uses Resume        Id to associate the UE with the previously stored UE Context.    -   Operation 5 of FIG. 3. In message 4, designated here as RRC        Connection Resume, the network among provides, e.g., updated        L3/2/1 parameters, if applicable.    -   Operation 6 of FIG. 3. UE and eNB resume the stored security        context.    -   Operation 7 of FIG. 3. eNB notifies the MME about UE state        change in a new S1AP message designated here as S1-AP UE Context        Active. ECM in the MME enters the ECM-CONNECTED state. MME        identifies that the UE returns at the eNodeB for which MME has        stored information about allocated DL TEIDs for the UE.    -   Operation 8 of FIG. 3. The MME sends a Modify Bearer Request        message (eNodeB address, S1 TEID(s) (downlink DL) for the        accepted EPS bearers, Delay Downlink Packet Notification        Request, RAT Type) per PDN connection to the Serving GW. If the        Serving GW supports Modify Access Bearers Request procedure and        if there is no need for the Serving GW to send the signaling to        the PGW, the MME may send Modify Access Bearers Request (eNodeB        address(es) and TEIDs for downlink user plane for the accepted        EPS bearers, Delay Downlink Packet Notification Request) per UE        to the Serving GW to improve/optimize the signaling. The Serving        GW is now able to transmit downlink data towards the UE.SGW        considers UE being in Connected state.    -   Operation 9 of FIG. 3. SGW provides as response to step 7.    -   Operation 10 of FIG. 3. MME acks step 7.

Actions at RRC and PDCP at resume/suspend will now be discussed.

RLC entities are kept during RRC suspend/resume for SRBs and DRBs,respectively.

In order for all RLC SDUs (Service Data Units) already received in DL tobe forwarded to higher layers and that the internal state of the RLCentity is reset it is proposed to re-establish the RLC entities for allSRBs and DRBs before RRC is suspended.

At RRC resume the RLC and PDCP entities are re-established. Further, itis proposed to re-establish PDCP entities for all SRBs and DRBs, and torestore the RLC entities for all SRBs and DRBs. The reason for not doingRLC re-establishment at resume is because it is proposed to instead bedone at suspend, as mentioned above. Restore means that the resumecontext, which was used before RRC suspend, is used to resume theconnections.

In case of a need to reconfigure some aspect(s) of, e.g., RBs which maynot be reconfigured with the RRC Connection Resume message itself, thereconfiguration may be done with a RRC Connection Reconfigurationmessage (e.g., multiplexed with RRC Connection Resume in Msg4). In casereconfiguration is done with an RRC Connection Reconfiguration messagesubsequent to resuming the RRC connection with RRC Connection Resume,there is a risk that new data appears in RBs, using a configurationwhich is incorrect or not supported in the eNB where the connection isresumed, before the RBs have been reconfigured. Such new data may belost, or may cause malfunction or unexpected behavior if the agreedprocedure for suspend is assumed.

-   -   RBs may/should be suspended when the RRC connection is suspended        and resumed when the RRC connection is resumed. While RBs are        suspended, new data will not be processed.

FIG. 4A illustrates operations of suspending and resuming an RRCconnection. Responsive to an RRC connection suspend message from basestation eNB at operation 401, wireless terminal UE may suspend radiobearers RBs at operation 403 and suspend the RRC connection at operation405. Responsive to arrival of uplink UL data at operation 407, wirelessterminal UE may transmit an RRC connection resume request message tobase station eNB at operation 409, and base station eNB may transmit anRRC connection resume message to wireless terminal UE at operation 411.In response, wireless terminal UE may perform reconfiguration atoperation 413, change keys and resume security at operation 415, andresume radio bearers RBs which are suspended at operation 417. Wirelessterminal UE may then transmit an RRC connection resume complete messageat operation 419, and wireless terminal UE may transmit uplink data onthe radio bearer RB at operation 421.

-   -   For the case that reconfiguration of RB(s) is to be done with an        RRC Connection Reconfiguration message subsequent to resuming        the RRC connection with RRC Connection Resume:        -   an indication may be added in RRC Connection Resume            indicating that RBs should not be resumed yet; i.e., wait            and resume suspended RBs after processing of the RRC            Connection Reconfiguration message. RBs are reconfigured            with a RRC Connection Reconfiguration message (e.g.,            multiplexed with RRC Connection Resume in Msg4).

FIG. 4B illustrates RRC Connection Reconfiguration multiplexed in sametransmission as RRC Connection Resume. Responsive to an RRC connectionsuspend message from base station eNB at operation 431, wirelessterminal UE may suspend radio bearers RBs at operation 433 and suspendthe RRC connection at operation 435. Responsive to arrival of uplink ULdata at operation 437, wireless terminal UE may transmit an RRCconnection resume request message to base station eNB at operation 439,and base station eNB may transmit an RRC connection resume message (withindication to defer/delay resume of RBs RRC connection reconfiguration)to wireless terminal UE at operation 441. In response, wireless terminalUE may perform reconfiguration (for RRC connection resume) at operation443, change keys and resume security at operation 445, performreconfiguration (for RRC connection reconfiguration) at operation 447,and resume radio bearers RBs which are suspended at operation 449.Wireless terminal UE may then transmit an RRC connection resume completemessage at operation 451, and wireless terminal UE may transmit uplinkdata on the radio bearer RB(s) at operation 453.

The example of FIG. 4B illustrates that RRC connection resume completeand RRC connection reconfiguration complete may be multiplexed in thesame transmission/lower layer PDU/transport block. RRC connection resumecomplete and RRC connection reconfiguration complete may alternativelybe sent in separate transmissions/lower layer PDUs/transport blocks. Ifsent separately the RRC connection resume complete may be sent before orafter performing reconfiguration pertaining to RRC connectionreconfiguration.

FIG. 5 illustrates operations of RRC Connection Reconfiguration inseparate transmission after RRC Connection Resume. Responsive to an RRCconnection suspend message from base station eNB at operation 501,wireless terminal UE may suspend radio bearers RBs at operation 503 andsuspend the RRC connection at operation 505. Responsive to arrival ofuplink UL data at operation 507, wireless terminal UE may transmit anRRC connection resume request message to base station eNB at operation509, and base station eNB may transmit an RRC connection resume message(with indication to defer/delay resume of RBs) to wireless terminal UEat operation 511. In response, wireless terminal UE may performreconfiguration at operation 513 and change keys and resume security atoperation 515. At operation 517, wireless terminal UE may transmit anRRC connection resume complete message to base station eNB, and atoperation 519, base station eNB may transmit an RRC connectionreconfiguration message to wireless terminal UE. In response, wirelessterminal UE may perform reconfiguration at operation 521, and resumeradio bearers RBs which are suspended at operation 523. Wirelessterminal UE may then transmit an RRC connection reconfiguration completemessage at operation 525, and wireless terminal UE may transmit uplinkdata on the radio bearer RB(s) at operation 527. The indication can becombined with another indication stating that the RRC Connection ResumeComplete message is not needed or should be omitted (due to a pendingRRC Connection Reconfiguration message that will signal that theprocedure is completed.).

FIG. 6 illustrates Indication to defer/delay resume of RB s combinedwith indication that RRC connection resume complete message is notneeded or omitted; RRC Connection Resume and RRC ConnectionReconfiguration may be multiplexed. Responsive to an RRC connectionsuspend message from base station eNB at operation 601, wirelessterminal UE may suspend radio bearers RBs (except SRB0) at operation 603and suspend the RRC connection at operation 605. Responsive to arrivalof uplink UL data at operation 607, wireless terminal UE may transmit anRRC connection resume request message to base station eNB at operation609, and base station eNB may transmit an RRC connection resume message(with indication to defer/delay resume of RBs and indication that RRCconnection resume complete message is omitted RRC connectionreconfiguration) to wireless terminal UE at operation 610. In response,wireless terminal UE may perform reconfiguration (if any for RRCconnection resume) at operation 611, change keys and resume security atoperation 613, perform reconfiguration (for RRC connectionreconfiguration) at operation 615, and resume RBs which are suspended atoperation 617. At operation 619, wireless terminal UE may transmit anRRC connection reconfiguration complete message, and at operation 621,wireless terminal UE may transmit UL data on RB(s). FIG. 7 illustratesIndication to defer/delay resume of RBs combined with indication thatRRC connection resume complete message is not needed or omitted; RRCConnection Resume and RRC Connection Reconfiguration not multiplexed.Responsive to an RRC connection suspend message from base station eNB atoperation 701, wireless terminal UE may suspend radio bearers RBs(except SRB0) at operation 703 and suspend the RRC connection atoperation 705. Responsive to arrival of uplink UL data at operation 707,wireless terminal UE may transmit an RRC connection resume requestmessage to base station eNB at operation 709, and base station eNB maytransmit an RRC connection resume message (with indication todefer/delay resume of RBs and indication that RRC connection resumecomplete message is omitted) to wireless terminal UE at operation 711.In response, wireless terminal UE may perform reconfiguration (if any)at operation 713, and change keys and resume security at operation 715.At operation 717, wireless terminal UE may receive an RRC connectionreconfiguration message from base station eNB. Responsive to the RRCconnection reconfiguration message, the wireless terminal UE may performreconfiguration at operation 719, and resume RBs which are suspended atoperation 721. At operation 723, wireless terminal UE may transmit anRRC connection reconfiguration complete message, and at operation 725,wireless terminal UE may transmit UL data on RB(s).

In some embodiments of inventive concepts, the RRC Connection Resumemessage and the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message may bemultiplexed in the same transmission/lower layer PDU/transport block.

In other embodiments of inventive concepts, the RRC Connection Resumemessage and the RRC Connection Reconfiguration message may be sent inseparate transmissions/lower layer PDUs/transport blocks.

RRC Connection Suspend may be an RRCConnectionSuspend message or anothermessage indicating that the RRC connection shall be suspended. In someembodiments of inventive concepts, RRC Connection Suspend may be anRRCConnectionRelease message with a release cause indicating that theconnection shall be suspended.

RRC Connection Resume Request may be an RRCConnectionResumeRequest oranother message indicating that resumption of an RRC connection isrequested.

RRC Connection Resume may be an RRCConnectionResume message or anothermessage indicating that the connection shall be resumed.

RRC Connection Resume Complete may be an RRCConnectionResumeCompletemessage or another message indicating that the RRC connection has beenresumed.

RRC Connection Reconfiguration may be an RRCConnectionReconfigurationmessage or another message which reconfigures the RRC connection.

According to some embodiments disclosed herein, configuration mismatchbetween UE and eNB (which may lead to data loss, and/or may causemalfunction and/or unexpected behavior) may be reduced/avoided.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a base station 1101 of a wirelesscommunication network according to some embodiments. As shown, basestation (eNB) 1101 may include processor 1103 coupled with wirelessinterface 1107 (also referred to as a transceiver), memory 1109, andnetwork interface 1105, and base station 1101 may be configured to carryout at least some of the respective base stationoperations/functionalities described herein. Network interface 1105 maybe configured to provide network communications with one or more otherbase stations. Wireless interface 1107 may be configured to providewireless communications over cells with wireless terminals. Processor1103 (also referred to as a processor circuit or processing circuitry)may include one or more data processing circuits, such as a generalpurpose and/or special purpose processor (e.g., microprocessor and/ordigital signal processor). Processor 1103 may be configured to executecomputer program instructions from functional modules in memory 1109(also referred to as a memory circuit or memory circuitry), describedherein as a computer readable medium, to perform some or all of theoperations and/or methods that are described herein for one or more ofthe examples/embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless terminal (UE) 1301that can communicate wirelessly with one or more base stations. Asshown, wireless terminal 1301 may include processor 1303 coupled withwireless interface 1305 (also referred to as a transceiver), and memory1307. Wireless terminal 1301 may also include user interface 1309 (e.g.,including a display, a keypad, a touch sensitive display, a microphone,a speaker, one or more buttons, etc.). Wireless terminal 1301 may beconfigured to carry out at least some of the respectiveoperations/functionality described herein. Wireless interface 1305 maybe configured to provide wireless communications with one or more basestations 1101. Wireless interface 1305 may include an LTE transceiverfor communication with base stations 1101 of the cellular mobilecommunication network. Processor 1303 (also referred to as a processorcircuit or processing circuitry) may include one or more data processingcircuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor(e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor). Processor 1303may be configured to execute computer program instructions fromfunctional modules in memory 1307 (also referred to as a memory circuitor memory circuitry), described herein as a computer readable medium, toperform some or all of the operations and/or methods that are describedherein for one or more of the examples/embodiments.

Operations of a wireless terminal UE will now be discussed withreference to the flow chart of FIG. 10 and the modules of FIG. 11. Forexample, modules of FIG. 11 may be stored in wireless terminal memory1307 of FIG. 9, and these modules may provide instructions so that whenthe instructions of a module are executed by wireless terminal processor1303, processor 1303 performs respective operations of the flow chart ofFIG. 10.

At block 1001, wireless terminal processor 1303 may provide a connectionwith the base station eNB through transceiver 1305, for example, usingconnection provision module 1151. The connection may be a Radio ResourceControl (RRC) connection.

At block 1003 after providing the connection with the base station,processor 1303 may receive a connection suspend message from the basestation eNB through transceiver 1305, for example, using connectionsuspend message reception module 1153. The connection suspend messagemay be a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection suspend message.

At block 1005, processor 1303 may suspend the radio bearer for theconnection responsive to receiving the connection suspend message, forexample, using radio bearer suspension module 1155. At block 1007,processor 1303 may suspend the connection after suspending the radiobearer for the connection, for example, using connection suspensionmodule 1157. Suspending the connection may correspond to putting the RRCconnection in an RRC inactive state (as an alternative to the UEentering an RRC_IDLE state).

At block 1009, processor 1303 may transmit a connection resume requestthrough transceiver 1305 to the base station eNB of the wirelesscommunication network, for example, using connection resume requesttransmission module 1159. Processor 1303, for example, may transmit theconnection resume request responsive to arrival of uplink data fortransmission to the base station. Moreover, processor 1303 may blockprocessing of the uplink data for transmission until after resuming theradio bearer at block 1017. The connection resume request may be a RadioResource Control (RRC) resume request.

At block 1011 after transmitting the connection resume request,processor 1303 may receive a connection resume message throughtransceiver 1305 from the base station, for example, using connectionresume message reception module 1161. The connection resume message mayinclude an indication to delay resuming the radio bearer. The connectionresume message may be a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection resumemessage, and the connection resume message may include a security keyderivation indicator, for example, including a Next Hop Chaining Counter(NCC).

At block 1013 responsive to receiving the connection resume message,processor 1303 may performing reconfiguration of a connection with thebase station, for example, using reconfiguration performance module1163. Processor 1303 may perform reconfiguration of the connection basedon the connection resume message.

At block 1015 responsive to receiving the connection resume message,processor 1303 may provide a security key for the connection with thebase station, for example, using security key provision module 1165.Providing the security key may include changing a security key from aprevious security key used before receiving the connection suspendmessage. For example, changing the security key may include changing thesecurity key using a security key derivation indicator (e.g., includinga Next Hop Chaining Counter) included in the connection resume message.

At block 1017 responsive to receiving the connection resume message,processor 1303 may resume a radio bearer, for example, using radiobearer resumption module 1167. The radio bearer may include a data radiobearer or a signaling radio bearer. Moreover, the radio bearer mayinclude a plurality of radio bearers.

At block 1019, processor 1303 may transmit a connection resume completemessage through transceiver 1305 to the base station, for example, usingconnection resume complete message transmission module 1169. Theconnection resume complete message may be a Radio Resource Controlconnection resume complete message.

At block 1021 after resuming the radio bearer and/or after transmittingthe connection resume complete message, processor 1303 may transmituplink data using the radio bearer, for example, using uplink UL datatransmission module 1171. According to some embodiments, UL data and theconnection resume complete message may be multiplexed in a sametransport block for transmission using the radio bearer. In addition orin an alternative, UL data may be transmitted using the radio bearerafter transmitting the connection resume complete message. For example,some UL data and the connection resume complete message may bemultiplexed in a same transport block and transmitted using the radiobearer, and additional UL data may be subsequently transmitted inanother transport block using the radio bearer. According to anotherexample, the connection resume complete message may be transmitted in afirst transport block (without UL data) using the radio bearer, and ULdata may then be transmitted in a second transport block using the radiobearer.

Various operations of FIG. 10 and/or modules of FIG. 11 may be optionalwith respect to some embodiments of wireless terminals and relatedmethods. Regarding methods of example embodiment 1 (set forth below),for example, operations of blocks 1001, 1003, 1005, 1007, and 1019 ofFIG. 10 may be optional, and regarding related wireless terminals,modules 1151, 1153, 1155, 1157, and 1169 of FIG. 11 may be optional.

Operations of a network node (e.g., a base station) will now bediscussed with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 12 and the modules ofFIG. 13. For example, modules of FIG. 13 may be stored in network nodememory 1109 of FIG. 8, and these modules may provide instructions sothat when the instructions of a module are executed by network nodeprocessor 1103, processor 1103 performs respective operations of theflow chart of FIG. 12.

At block 1201, processor 1103 may transmit a connection suspend messagethrough transceiver 1107 to a wireless terminal (UE), for example, usingconnection suspend message transmission module 1351. The connectionsuspend message may be a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection suspendmessage.

After transmitting the connection suspend message, processor 1103 mayreceive a connection resume request from the wireless terminal UEthrough transceiver 1107 at block 1203, for example, using connectionresume request reception module 1353. The connection resume request maybe an RRC connection resume request.

Responsive to receiving the connection resume request, processor 1103may transmit a connection resume message through transceiver 1107 to thewireless terminal UE at block 1205, for example, using connection resumemessage transmission module 1355. The connection resume message mayinclude an indication to delay resuming a radio bearer of theconnection. The connection resume message may also include an indicationto omit a connection resume complete message. The connection resumemessage may be an RRC connection resume message.

At block 1207, processor 1103 may receive uplink UL data from thewireless terminal UE through transceiver 1107 using the radio bearer,for example, using UL data reception module 1357. The radio bearer, forexample, may include a data radio bearer or a signaling radio bearer.Moreover, the radio bearer may include a plurality of radio bearers.

Various operations of FIG. 12 and/or modules of FIG. 13 may be optionalwith respect to some embodiments of network nodes and related methods.Regarding methods of example embodiment 35 (set forth below), forexample, operations of block 1207 of FIG. 12 may be optional, andregarding related termination nodes, module 1357 of FIG. 13 may beoptional.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1. A method of operating a wireless terminal in a wirelesscommunication network, the method comprising: transmitting a connectionresume request from the wireless terminal to a base station of thewireless communication network; after transmitting the connection resumerequest, receiving a connection resume message at the wireless terminalfrom the base station; responsive to receiving the connection resumemessage, performing reconfiguration of a connection with the basestation; responsive to receiving the connection resume message,providing a security key for the connection with the base station;responsive to receiving the connection resume message, resuming a radiobearer; and after resuming the radio bearer, transmitting uplink datausing the radio bearer.

Embodiment 2. The method of Embodiment 1, further comprising:transmitting a connection resume complete message from the wirelessterminal to the base station, wherein transmitting the uplink datacomprises transmitting the uplink data after transmitting the connectionresume complete message.

Embodiment 3. The method of any of Embodiments 1-2 wherein theconnection resume message includes an indication to delay resuming theradio bearer, and wherein performing reconfiguration comprisesperforming reconfiguration of the connection based on the connectionresume message.

Embodiment 4. The method of Embodiment 3, further comprising: aftertransmitting the connection resume request, receiving a connectionreconfiguration message; and responsive to receiving the connectionreconfiguration message and after providing the security key, performingreconfiguration of the connection based on the connectionreconfiguration message, wherein resuming the radio bearer comprisesresuming the radio bearer after performing reconfiguration based on theconnection reconfiguration message responsive to the indication to delayresuming the radio bearer.

Embodiment 5. The method of Embodiment 4 wherein performingreconfiguration based on the connection reconfiguration messagecomprises decrypting the connection reconfiguration message using thesecurity key.

Embodiment 6. The method of any of Embodiments 4-5 wherein theconnection resume message and the connection reconfiguration message areseparately received using different Protocol Data Units.

Embodiment 7. The method of any of Embodiments 4-5 wherein theconnection resume message and the connection reconfiguration message aremultiplexed on a same Protocol Data Unit.

Embodiment 8. The method of Embodiment 7 wherein the same Protocol DataUnit is a Medium Access Control Protocol Data Unit.

Embodiment 9. The method of any of Embodiments 4-8 wherein performingreconfiguration based on the connection resume message and/or providingthe security key occur after receiving the connection reconfigurationmessage.

Embodiment 10. The method of any of Embodiments 4-6 wherein performingreconfiguration based on the connection resume message and/or providingthe security key occur before receiving the connection reconfigurationmessage.

Embodiment 11. The method of any of Embodiments 1-10 further comprising:after resuming the radio bearer, transmitting a connectionreconfiguration complete message from the wireless terminal to the basestation, wherein transmitting the uplink data comprises transmitting theuplink data after transmitting the connection reconfiguration completemessage.

Embodiment 12. The method of Embodiment 11, further comprising: afterresuming the radio bearer, transmitting a connection resume completemessage from the wireless terminal to the base station, whereintransmitting the uplink data comprises transmitting the uplink dataafter transmitting the connection resume complete message.

Embodiment 13. The method of Embodiment 12 wherein the connection resumecomplete message and the connection reconfiguration complete message aremultiplexed on a same Protocol Data Unit.

Embodiment 14. The method of Embodiment 13 wherein the same ProtocolData Unit is a Medium Access Control Protocol Data Unit.

Embodiment 15. The method of Embodiment 12 wherein the connection resumecomplete message and the connection reconfiguration complete message areseparately transmitted using different Protocol Data Units.

Embodiment 16. A method of Embodiment 1, wherein the connection resumemessage includes an indication to delay resuming the radio bearer,wherein performing reconfiguration comprises performing reconfigurationbased on the connection resume message, wherein providing the securitykey comprises providing the security key based on the connection resumemessage, the method further comprising: after performing reconfigurationbased on the connection resume message and/or after providing thesecurity key, receiving a connection reconfiguration message at thewireless terminal from the base station; and performing reconfigurationof the connection based on the connection reconfiguration message;wherein resuming the radio bearer comprises resuming the radio bearerresponsive to performing reconfiguration based on the connectionreconfiguration message.

Embodiment 17. The method of Embodiment 16, further comprising: afterperforming reconfiguration based on the connection resume message and/orafter providing the security key, transmitting a connection resumecomplete message from the wireless terminal to the base station; whereinreceiving the connection reconfiguration message comprises receiving theconnection reconfiguration message after transmitting the connectionresume complete message.

Embodiment 18. A method according to Embodiment 1 wherein the connectionresume message includes a first indication to delay resuming the radiobearer and a second indication to omit a connection resume completemessage, wherein performing reconfiguration comprises performingreconfiguration of the connection based on the connection resumemessage, the method further comprising: after transmitting theconnection resume request, receiving a connection reconfigurationmessage; and responsive to receiving the connection reconfigurationmessage and after providing the security key, performing reconfigurationof the connection based on the connection reconfiguration message,wherein resuming the radio bearer comprises resuming the radio bearerafter performing reconfiguration based on the connection reconfigurationmessage responsive to the indication to delay resuming the radio bearer;after resuming the radio bearer, transmitting a connectionreconfiguration complete message from the wireless terminal to the basestation, wherein transmitting the uplink data comprises transmitting theuplink data after transmitting the connection reconfiguration completemessage.

Embodiment 19. The method of Embodiment 18 wherein the connectionreconfiguration message is received before providing the security key.

Embodiment 20. The method of Embodiment 18 wherein the connectionreconfiguration message is received after providing the security key.

Embodiment 21. The method of any of Embodiments 1-20, furthercomprising: before transmitting the connection resume request, providinga connection with the base station; before transmitting the resumerequest and after providing the connection with the base station,receiving a connection suspend message at the wireless terminal from thebase station; before transmitting the connection resume request andresponsive to receiving the connection suspend message, suspending theradio bearer for the connection; and before transmitting the connectionresume request and after suspending the radio bearer for the connection,suspending the connection.

Embodiment 22. The method of Embodiment 21, wherein transmitting theconnection resume request comprises transmitting the connection resumerequest responsive to arrival of the uplink data for transmission to thebase station.

Embodiment 23. The method of Embodiment 22 further comprising: blockingprocessing of the uplink data for transmission until after resuming theradio bearer.

Embodiment 24. The method of any of Embodiments 21-23 wherein theconnection suspend message comprises a Radio Resource Control connectionsuspend message,

Embodiment 25. The method of any of Embodiments 1-24, wherein theconnection resume request comprises a Radio Resource Control resumerequest, wherein the connection resume message comprises a RadioResource Control connection resume message, wherein the connectioncomprises a Radio Resource Control connection, and wherein theconnection resume complete message comprises a Radio Resource Controlconnection resume complete message.

Embodiment 26. The method of any of Embodiments 1-25, wherein providingthe security key comprises changing a security key from a previoussecurity key used before receiving the connection suspend message.

Embodiment 27. The method of any of Embodiments 1-26 wherein theconnection resume message includes a security key derivation indicator,and wherein changing the security key comprises changing the securitykey using the security key derivation indicator.

Embodiment 28. The method of Embodiment 27 wherein the security keyderivation indicator comprises a Next Hop Chaining Counter (NCC).

Embodiment 29. The method of any of Embodiments 1-28 wherein the radiobearer comprises a data radio bearer.

Embodiment 30. The method of any of Embodiments 1-28 wherein the radiobearer comprises a signaling radio bearer.

Embodiment 31. The method of any of Embodiments 1-30 wherein the radiobearer comprises a plurality of radio bearers.

Embodiment 32. A wireless terminal (UE) comprising: a transceiverconfigured to provide wireless communication with a wirelesscommunication network; and a processor coupled with the transceiver,wherein the processor is configured to perform operations of any ofEmbodiments 1-31, and wherein communications between the processor andthe wireless communication network are provided through the transceiver.

Embodiment 33. A wireless terminal (UE) adapted to perform operationsaccording to any of Embodiments 1-31.

Embodiment 34. A wireless terminal (UE) comprising modules adapted toperform operations according to any of Embodiments 1-31.

Embodiment 35. A method of operating a node of a wireless communicationnetwork, the method comprising: transmitting a connection suspendmessage from the node to a wireless terminal; after transmitting theconnection suspend message, receiving a connection resume request at thenode from the wireless terminal; responsive to receiving the connectionresume request, transmitting a connection resume message from the nodeto the wireless terminal, wherein the connection resume message includesan indication to delay resuming a radio bearer of the connection.

Embodiment 36. The method of Embodiment 35 wherein the connection resumemessage includes an indication to omit a connection resume completemessage.

Embodiment 37. The method of any of Embodiments 35-36 wherein theconnection suspend message is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connectionsuspend message, wherein the connection resume request is an RRCconnection resume request, and wherein the connection resume message isan RRC connection resume message.

Embodiment 38. The method of any of Embodiments 35-37, wherein the nodeis a base station of the wireless communication network.

Embodiment 39. The method of any of Embodiments 35-38 wherein the radiobearer comprises a data radio bearer.

Embodiment 40. The method of any of Embodiments 35-38 wherein the radiobearer comprises a signaling radio bearer.

Embodiment 41. The method of any of Embodiments 35-40 wherein the radiobearer comprises a plurality of radio bearers.

Embodiment 42. A node of a wireless communication network, the nodecomprising: a transceiver configured to provide wireless communicationwith a wireless terminal; and a processor coupled with the transceiver,wherein the processor is configured to perform operations of any ofEmbodiments 35-41, and wherein communications between the processor andthe wireless terminal are provided through the transceiver.

Embodiment 43. A node of a wireless communication network, wherein thenode is adapted to perform operations according to any of Embodiments35-41.

Embodiment 44. A node of a wireless communication network, wherein thenode comprises modules adapted to perform operations according to any ofEmbodiments 35-41.

Abbreviations:

-   -   UP User Plane    -   AS Access Stratum    -   NAS Non-Access Stratum    -   EPS Evolved Packet System    -   TEID Tunnel Endpoint Identifier    -   S1-AP S1 Application Protocol    -   ECM EPS Connection Management    -   SRB0 Signaling Radio Bearer 0 (zero)    -   CCCH Common Control Channel    -   SRB Signaling Radio Bearer    -   DRB Data Radio Bearer    -   PDCP Packet Data Convergence Protocol    -   K_eNB key used for AS security

Further Definitions:

In the above-description of various embodiments of present inventiveconcepts, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is notintended to be limiting of present inventive concepts. Unless otherwisedefined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which present inventive concepts belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of this specification andthe relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

When an element is referred to as being “connected”, “coupled”,“responsive”, or variants thereof to another element, it can be directlyconnected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or interveningelements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to asbeing “directly connected”, “directly coupled”, “directly responsive”,or variants thereof to another element, there are no interveningelements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.Furthermore, “coupled”, “connected”, “responsive”, or variants thereofas used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described indetail for brevity and/or clarity. The term “and/or” includes any andall combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc.may be used herein to describe various elements/operations, theseelements/operations should not be limited by these terms. These termsare only used to distinguish one element/operation from anotherelement/operation. Thus, a first element/operation in some embodimentscould be termed a second element/operation in other embodiments withoutdeparting from the teachings of present inventive concepts. The samereference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same orsimilar elements throughout the specification.

As used herein, the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “comprises”,“include”, “including”, “includes”, “have”, “has”, “having”, or variantsthereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features,integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not precludethe presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore,as used herein, the common abbreviation “e.g.”, which derives from theLatin phrase “exempli gratia,” may be used to introduce or specify ageneral example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is notintended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation “i.e.”,which derives from the Latin phrase “id est,” may be used to specify aparticular item from a more general recitation.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to blockdiagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods,apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. Itis understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchartillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/orflowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer programinstructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. Thesecomputer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit ofa general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit,and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine,such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of thecomputer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transformand control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and otherhardware components within such circuitry to implement thefunctions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block orblocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/orflowchart block(s).

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangiblecomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/orflowchart block or blocks. Accordingly, embodiments of present inventiveconcepts may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (includingfirmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processorsuch as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referredto as “circuitry,” “a module” or variants thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, thefunctions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted inthe flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in factbe executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/actsinvolved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowchartsand/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or thefunctionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or blockdiagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks maybe added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated, and/orblocks/operations may be omitted without departing from the scope ofinventive concepts. Moreover, although some of the diagrams includearrows on communication paths to show a primary direction ofcommunication, it is to be understood that communication may occur inthe opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments withoutsubstantially departing from the principles of the present inventiveconcepts. All such variations and modifications are intended to beincluded herein within the scope of present inventive concepts.Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter is to be consideredillustrative, and not restrictive, and the examples of embodiments areintended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and otherembodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope of present inventiveconcepts. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope ofpresent inventive concepts is to be determined by the broadestpermissible interpretation of the present disclosure including theexamples of embodiments and their equivalents, and shall not berestricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for a wireless terminal (UE)configured to operate in a wireless communication network that includesa base station, the method comprising: transmitting, to the basestation, a request to resume a suspended connection with the wirelesscommunication network; subsequently receiving, from the base station, aconnection resume message; performing configuration of the connectionbased on the connection resume message, wherein performing theconfiguration comprises changing a security key previously used for theconnection before the connection was suspended; resuming a suspendedradio bearer associated with the connection; and selectivelytransmitting, to the base station, a connection resume complete message.2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the connection resume messageincludes a security key derivation indicator; and changing the securitykey is based on the security key derivation indicator.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the connection resume message includes a firstindication to delay resuming the suspended radio bearer until receipt ofa connection reconfiguration message.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising receiving the connection reconfiguration message from thebase station, wherein resuming the suspended radio bearer is responsiveto the connection reconfiguration message.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the connection reconfiguration message is multiplexed in thesame transmission from the base station as the connection resumemessage.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein the connectionreconfiguration message is received separate from and after theconnection resume message.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein: theconnection resume message includes a second indication of whether thewireless terminal should transmit a responsive connection resumecomplete message; and selectively transmitting the connection resumecomplete message is based on the second indication.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein selectively transmitting the connection resume messagecomprises transmitting the connection resume complete message when theconnection resume message does not include a second indication ofwhether the wireless terminal should transmit a responsive connectionresume complete message.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprisingtransmitting uplink data using the resumed radio bearer.
 10. A wirelessterminal (UE) configured to operate in a wireless communication networkthat includes a base station, the UE comprising: a transceiverconfigured to communicate with the base station; and processingcircuitry operably coupled with the transceiver, whereby the processingcircuitry and the transceiver are configured to: transmit, to the basestation, a request to resume a suspended connection with the wirelesscommunication network; subsequently receive, from the base station, aconnection resume message; perform configuration of the connection basedon the connection resume message, wherein performing the configurationcomprises changing a security key previously used for the connectionbefore the connection was suspended; resume a suspended radio bearerassociated with the connection; and selectively transmit, to the basestation, a connection resume complete message.
 11. The wireless terminalof claim 1, wherein: the connection resume message includes a securitykey derivation indicator; and the processing circuitry is furtherconfigured to change the security key based on the security keyderivation indicator.
 12. The wireless terminal of claim 10, wherein theconnection resume message includes a first indication to delay resumingthe suspended radio bearer until receipt of a connection reconfigurationmessage.
 13. The wireless terminal of claim 12, wherein the processingcircuitry and the transceiver are further configured to: receive theconnection reconfiguration message from the base station; and resume thesuspended radio bearer responsive to the connection reconfigurationmessage.
 14. The wireless terminal of claim 13, wherein the connectionreconfiguration message is received in the same transmission from thebase station as the connection resume message.
 15. The wireless terminalof claim 13, wherein the connection reconfiguration message is receivedseparate from and after the connection resume message.
 16. The wirelessterminal of claim 10, wherein: the connection resume message includes asecond indication of whether the wireless terminal should transmit aresponsive connection resume complete message; and the processingcircuitry and the transceiver are configured to selectively transmit theconnection resume complete message based on the second indication. 17.The wireless terminal of claim 10, wherein the processing circuitry andthe transceiver are configured to selectively transmit the connectionresume message based on transmitting the connection resume completemessage when the connection resume message does not include a secondindication of whether the wireless terminal should transmit a responsiveconnection resume complete message.
 18. The wireless terminal of claim10, wherein the processing circuitry and the transceiver are furtherconfigured to transmit uplink data using the resumed radio bearer.
 19. Amethod for a base station configured to operate in a wirelesscommunication network, the method comprising: receiving, from a wirelessterminal (UE), a request to resume a suspended connection with thewireless communication network; subsequently transmitting, to thewireless terminal, a connection resume message including one or more ofthe following: a security key derivation indicator, a first indicationfor the wireless terminal to delay resuming the suspended radio beareruntil receipt of a connection reconfiguration message, the connectionreconfiguration message, and a second indication of whether the wirelessterminal should transmit a responsive connection resume completemessage; and selectively receiving, from the wireless terminal, aconnection resume complete message.
 20. A base station configured tooperate in a wireless communication network, the base stationcomprising: a transceiver configured to communicate with one or morewireless terminals (UEs); and processing circuitry operably coupled withthe transceiver, whereby the processing circuitry and the transceiverare configured to perform operations corresponding to the method ofclaim 19.